inexplicably

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inexplicably" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that means in an unpredictable or hard-to-understand way. You can use it when you want to describe a situation or turn of events that is unexpected and difficult to explain. Example Sentence: She inexplicably disappeared from the party without saying goodbye.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite their frequent failure to impose themselves, Rangers contrived and, inexplicably, squandered opportunities to extend their advantage by a convincing margin.

The Guardian - Sport

The piece, entitled Hunger Hurts, was written when Jack Monroe was at her wits' end: no money, the food cupboard bare, the housing benefit cheque turning up, inexplicably, £100 short.

The Guardian

Pajoy has inexplicably become more ineffective �� surely his chances should be done now.

The Guardian - Sport

The cover of the heavy rock band UFO's 1974 album Phenomenon features a hand-tinted image of a suburban couple apparently faking a UFO sighting, and manages to be both camp and inexplicably unsettling.

The Guardian - Music

After two inexplicably successful solo albums, it's unlikely he's scrabbling around behind the sofa cushions for errant shrapnel.

The Guardian - Music

The film, which finds Lautner's inexplicably buff yet baby-faced courier escape from the Chinese mafia into the sexy world of jumping off things on to other things, eventually made its debut on a pay-per-view channel in the US earlier this year.

The Guardian - Film

Inexplicably, this enraged the attendant, who yelled at me for not handing it to her instead.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Sparky, The Inexplicably Negative Civil War Era Dog, a depressed cocker spaniel in 1862 becomes an alcoholic and starts spying for the South.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She replies, inexplicably: "He is the most complete person I know".

The Guardian - Film

The Margaret Thatcher model, where a person inexplicably needs only four hours a night?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Every third person who tweets anything today has inexplicably taken on the persona of a fully annoying trendy vicar, dripping in unearned sanctimony as they tell you how, like, voting's really cool.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inexplicably" to add a sense of mystery or confusion to a situation where the cause is genuinely unknown, enhancing the reader's engagement.

Common error

While "inexplicably" can effectively convey mystery, overuse diminishes its impact. Opt for more descriptive language if the reason is partially understood or implied. For example, instead of "He inexplicably left", try "He left abruptly, seemingly without a second thought".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inexplicably" is to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, expressing that an action or state occurs in a way that is impossible to explain. Ludwig AI indicates this adverb is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "inexplicably" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys a sense of mystery or lack of understanding. Predominantly found in news, media, and formal business contexts, it serves to emphasize the absence of a clear explanation for an event or occurrence. While synonyms like "mysteriously" or "unaccountably" exist, "inexplicably" retains a distinct impact, suggesting a situation that defies logical reasoning. Writers should use it judiciously, opting for more descriptive alternatives when possible, to avoid diluting its effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for an unknown reason

Focuses on the lack of a known cause or explanation.

unaccountably

Highlights the absence of an accounting or justification.

mysteriously

Suggests an element of mystery or intrigue surrounding the event.

for some reason

A more general way to express a lack of understanding about why something happened.

without explanation

Emphasizes the absence of any given reason.

unfathomably

Implies the event is difficult to fully understand or comprehend.

in an incomprehensible manner

Stresses the inability to grasp the way something occurred.

for no apparent reason

Highlights that there's no visible or obvious cause.

enigmatically

Implies a puzzling or perplexing quality to the event.

in a puzzling way

Focuses on the confusing or bewildering nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "inexplicably" in a sentence?

"Inexplicably" is an adverb used to describe something that cannot be explained or understood. For example, "She "inexplicably" vanished from the party without saying goodbye."

What can I say instead of "inexplicably"?

You can use alternatives like "mysteriously", "unaccountably", or "for an unknown reason" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "inexplicably" in formal writing?

Yes, "inexplicably" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its usage depends on the context and the desired tone.

What's the difference between "inexplicably" and "unexplainably"?

While both words convey a similar meaning, "inexplicably" is generally preferred and more widely used. "Unexplainably" is less common but still understandable. "Inexplicably" tends to suggest a higher degree of mystery.